Sausage Egg Casserole

We are calling this recipe “Sausage Breakfast Casserole,” but do not be fooled by this title.  This is not just a breakfast dish.  The fluffy egg mixes so well with the hashbrowns and the crispy crust of the cheese and sausage.  It is infinitely customizable and reheats amazingly well for several days after.   

Why You’ll Love This - That One Thing

There are not many recipes that dirty three dishes from start to finish.  It starts with the skillet for browning the ground sausage.  Second, is the large bowl for all the ingredients to be combined.  Finally, the baking dish.  Depending on the size of your baking dish, you honestly could get away with combining the ingredients in the baking dish and get this recipe down to two!  So simple and just so delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need - Quick Snapshot

Here are the ingredients you will need (see quantities below):

• Egg Beaters Eggs - The foundation for any breakfast casserole
• Frozen Shredded Hash Browns - Don’t forget to thaw them out!
• Shredded Cheese - Lots of options…we use colby jack for this recipe
• Cottage Cheese - Take your pick, but we use 1% fat
• Green Onion - Slice them thick or thin, totally your call
• Ground Sausage - We went with spicy, but you can go regular too
• Salt/Pepper/Parsley - For taste
• Bacon - Bacon should never be last on any list, but it’s just for the topping here

The Process

Prepare yourself for simplicity.  It’s almost too easy!

It all starts with thawing the frozen hash browns and browning the ground sausage.  

After that, gather all of your ingredients: Egg Beaters eggs, thawed shredded hash browns, shredded cheese, cottage cheese, sliced green onion, and cooked ground sausage.

Combine these ingredients in a large bowl (or if you want to save some dishwashing, place the ingredients in your baking dish and combine them there).

Bake it for 50 minutes, then top with your bacon bits and parsley and you have an amazing meal for any time of the day!

Did You Know

Where did the breakfast casserole originate?

Once upon a time, in a land where breakfast was the most important meal of the day (and, let's be honest, it still is), there existed a group of brilliant culinary minds who craved something new and exciting to shake up their morning routine. They gathered together, armed with spatulas and a shared sense of adventure, and set out on a quest to create the ultimate breakfast dish. Little did they know that their efforts would birth the magnificent marvel known as the breakfast casserole!

Legend has it that these intrepid breakfast enthusiasts drew inspiration from various breakfast staples: the comforting embrace of scrambled eggs, the sizzling symphony of crispy bacon, the fluffiness of pancakes, and the golden hash browns that whispered promises of deliciousness. They decided to bring all these elements together in a single pan, layering them with love and care, and baking them to perfection. And thus, the breakfast casserole was born.

But the origins of this culinary masterpiece didn't stop there! As word spread about the magical amalgamation of breakfast goodness, families and friends began to gather around their dining tables, eager to sample this new morning sensation. The breakfast casserole became a beloved tradition, with each household putting their own unique spin on the recipe. Some added cheese for an extra gooey factor, while others tossed in a handful of fresh vegetables to sneak in some morning nutrition. It quickly became a breakfast potluck favorite, with everyone trying to outdo each other's creations.

Soon, breakfast casserole mania swept through the land, reaching even the most remote corners where breakfast choices were limited. People would wake up early just to prepare this delightful dish, their kitchens filled with laughter and the aroma of sizzling bacon. It became a symbol of togetherness, bringing families and friends closer as they gathered around the table, their taste buds dancing in jubilation.

As the breakfast casserole gained popularity, it found its way onto breakfast menus at diners and cafes, charming even the most skeptical of palates. It became a star in the culinary world, making appearances in cookbooks and cooking shows, inspiring chefs to experiment with countless variations. From Tex-Mex to Mediterranean, the breakfast casserole knew no boundaries. It had become a global sensation, bridging cultures and conquering breakfast plates worldwide.

And so, the tale of the breakfast casserole comes to a close. From humble beginnings, it rose to become a breakfast legend, bringing joy and flavor to countless mornings (or afternoons, or evenings!). So, next time you dig into a warm, savory slice of breakfast casserole, remember the culinary pioneers who dared to dream big and turned breakfast into an epic adventure of flavors. Bon appétit!